Claiming Victory over Darkness

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong”. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)

Okay.  God guided me out of darkness, showed me I was not alone, and gave me courage to tell my story, allowing me to live in the light again.  It’s finished.

The end?

Not quite.  Many Christians have an unrealistic expectation that once they have been brought through a difficult situation, they are completely healed and they can move on with their lives,  only to be blindsided when they find themselves back in the dark.

It’s not the end…it’s only the beginning.

God never puts our life back together the way it was.  He always gives us a new improved, better life. God can light our path, but if we do nothing to change, we will slide right back into the dark.  Transformation occurs when we do what it takes to change and work towards total healing.

During my season of darkness, I developed some very bad habits. I had become comfortable in my misery. Procrastination, gluttony, and fear ruled my life.  I wanted to claim victory over darkness, so much so that I began seeing a counselor, who helped  me dig up roots of the weeds that invaded my life.  Julie showed me how to pack up my box of excuses, and helped me develop a Time to Change Tool Kit, by reminding me of things I already knew.  I decided to go on a journey to find the things I lost during my season of darkness; things like joy, peace, hope, health and recovery.

Complete dependence on God is the number one item in my tool kit.  I had to give God control of my life, and let Him guide me.  Other tool kit items includes answering the phone, and intentionally allowing people back in my life; finding joy in everything and fear in nothing; stop overeating and begin working out; going back to Recovery meetings and working the program that had worked for me years ago.

I’m beginning to understand that my journey to good health is far from over.  Change is never easy, and to be honest, it makes me anxious to think about, because if I change, then I might not recognize myself.  This trek I’m on could be a lifelong expedition, which will either lead me back into darkness, or lead me to freedom.  I choose the latter. For now, I have come to the place of knowing God is enough.

Do you have a Time to Change Tool Kit; things you already know but have forgotten?  Undoubtedly yours will look different from mine.  Remember, we can’t claim victory unless we change.

God will show up when we continue to seek him.  He hears our cries for help, and He sends people to remind us we’re not alone.  He can deliver us from the darkness, but at some point we have to take ownership of our health and we will have to change.  If we do not, we will fall right back into the darkness.

Lord, please help us claim victory over darkness by taking steps to change.  Amen.

“Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.”  Galatians 5:1 [MSG]

Peace be with you.